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| Image: I.G |
Nollywood actress Tayo Sobola has recounted a surprising experience that led to her emergence as Sarauniya of Uke Kingdom in Nasarawa State, describing the entire event as unplanned and beyond her expectations.
She explained that it all started in an ordinary setting at her shop in Abuja, where she was approached by an acquaintance who invited her to participate in a charity mission in Uke. According to her, the invitation did not come with any form of pressure or formal arrangement, and she accepted it casually without sensing that the trip would turn into something significant. “I didn’t pick myself, nor did I know anything about it,” she said.
Preparing for the journey was simple and unplanned. She noted that she selected an outfit from her personal collection, got dressed, and set out to Nasarawa with the group. There were no expectations attached to the visit, as it was meant to be a routine charitable engagement.
On reaching the Emir’s palace, she described the atmosphere as calm and orderly, with guests waiting for the Emir’s appearance. At the time, she paid little attention to the activities around her, assuming it was part of a standard palace reception.
“I was invited to join a charity mission in Uke by an acquaintance who visited my shop in Abuja. He pleaded with me to come along, and I agreed. I simply picked an outfit from my collection, wore it, and left for Nasarawa.”
However, the situation shifted when the Emir eventually emerged and directly invited her to sit beside him. The gesture immediately drew attention and changed the mood within the palace. According to her, she noticed unfamiliar reactions and conversations taking place, but she could not fully understand what was happening at the time.
“While waiting, I noticed an intense conversation between my companion and another man but paid little attention. Soon after, the Emir emerged and invited me to sit beside him.”
Shortly after, she was informed that she would not be allowed to leave the palace until she was officially installed as Sarauniya. She explained that the explanation given to her later made the situation even more unexpected, as it involved palace tradition and spiritual consultation.
“Apparently, where I sat down upon entering the palace was the seat of the former Sarauniya, and the kingdom had been waiting for years for a stranger to unknowingly occupy the seat. Each time a visitor entered the palace, the soothsayer would consult the spirits to determine if the person was the destined successor. That day, it turned out to be me.”
What began as an ordinary invitation eventually evolved into a moment that changed her public identity and placed her in a unique cultural position within the kingdom’s tradition.
#TayoSobola
#UkeKingdom
#Sarauniya
#NigerianEntertainment
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